SANTA CLARA — Jimmie Ward’s versatility and playmaking ability should make him an every-down defender this season for the youth-laden 49ers. One play reinforced that notion Tuesday.

Ward, the 49ers’ top draft pick in 2014, intercepted a pass by Blaine Gabbert and returned it for a would-be touchdown at training camp.

“He’s our starting corner, right now, opposite Tramaine Brock, and we are still training (Ward) inside at nickel,” new defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “But, again, our depth chart right now is written in sand.”

As was the case in the offseason program, Ward is being transitioned into an outside cornerback. His interception came from his familiar role covering the slot receiver, which in this case was Bruce Ellington in a 7-on-7 drill.

“I got beat on that route (Sunday),” Ward said. “Coach told me what to do and I made the correction.”

Ward, a diligent student of the game who constantly watches film, also has sought advice from Brock.

“He just got some tips from me so he can go out there and make plays,” Brock said. “Jimmie can make plays. He’s a good athlete.”

Ward played safety at Northern Illinois, but since the 49ers drafted him in the first round two years ago, he has primarily been assigned to cover the slot receiver, which he did really well last season after missing half his rookie year with a foot fracture.

Ward said his foot is great, as is his confidence, which wavered not long ago.

“In the spring they said I was getting frustrated but they stuck with me,” Ward said. “Everybody inside the 49ers facility stuck by my side.”

O’Neil said the 49ers won’t assign cornerbacks one side of the field or the other, and that their roles will be game-plan specific. He wants his starting cornerbacks to stay outside rather than rotate into the slot, noting that the mentality is too different.

If Ward indeed locks down a starting cornerback role, the leading candidates for the nickel-back duties are Chris Davis, Keith Reaser and rookie Will Redmond. Eric Reid, a fourth-year starting free safety, is also seeing time covering slot receivers.

In 11-on-11 action, Gabbert completed 6 of 10 passes, starting with the touchdown throw. Colin Kaepernick completed 8 of 10 passes, most of which were short-yardage attempts.

Overall through two practices, both quarterbacks are keeping the high-tempo offense on its manic schedule, so both are probably doing an admirable job in coach Chip Kelly’s eyes.

A Stanford professor, Rice was greeted on the practice field by coaching-staff analyst Dana Bible, a former Stanford assistant. Baalke called it an honor to meet her and that he shied away from talking politics — or about the 49ers’ quarterback competition.

“I feel like the iron is hot right now and it’s my time to strike,” Simpson said. “I come every day with juice and show coaches I can play for them. I’m a guy that’s going to make big plays for us.”

For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman’s Hot Read blog at . Follow him on Twitter at .

SANTA CLARA — Jimmie Ward’s versatility and playmaking ability should make him an every-down defender this season for the youth-laden 49ers. One play reinforced that notion Tuesday.

Ward, the 49ers’ top draft pick in 2014, intercepted a pass by Blaine Gabbert and returned it for a would-be touchdown at training camp.

“He’s our starting corner, right now, opposite Tramaine Brock, and we are still training (Ward) inside at nickel,” new defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “But, again, our depth chart right now is written in sand.”

As was the case in the offseason program, Ward is being transitioned into an outside cornerback. His interception came from his familiar role covering the slot receiver, which in this case was Bruce Ellington in a 7-on-7 drill.

“I got beat on that route (Sunday),” Ward said. “Coach told me what to do and I made the correction.”

Ward, a diligent student of the game who constantly watches film, also has sought advice from Brock.

“He just got some tips from me so he can go out there and make plays,” Brock said. “Jimmie can make plays. He’s a good athlete.”

Ward played safety at Northern Illinois, but since the 49ers drafted him in the first round two years ago, he has primarily been assigned to cover the slot receiver, which he did really well last season after missing half his rookie year with a foot fracture.

Ward said his foot is great, as is his confidence, which wavered not long ago.

“In the spring they said I was getting frustrated but they stuck with me,” Ward said. “Everybody inside the 49ers facility stuck by my side.”

O’Neil said the 49ers won’t assign cornerbacks one side of the field or the other, and that their roles will be game-plan specific. He wants his starting cornerbacks to stay outside rather than rotate into the slot, noting that the mentality is too different.

If Ward indeed locks down a starting cornerback role, the leading candidates for the nickel-back duties are Chris Davis, Keith Reaser and rookie Will Redmond. Eric Reid, a fourth-year starting free safety, is also seeing time covering slot receivers.

In 11-on-11 action, Gabbert completed 6 of 10 passes, starting with the touchdown throw. Colin Kaepernick completed 8 of 10 passes, most of which were short-yardage attempts.

Overall through two practices, both quarterbacks are keeping the high-tempo offense on its manic schedule, so both are probably doing an admirable job in coach Chip Kelly’s eyes.

A Stanford professor, Rice was greeted on the practice field by coaching-staff analyst Dana Bible, a former Stanford assistant. Baalke called it an honor to meet her and that he shied away from talking politics — or about the 49ers’ quarterback competition.

“I feel like the iron is hot right now and it’s my time to strike,” Simpson said. “I come every day with juice and show coaches I can play for them. I’m a guy that’s going to make big plays for us.”

For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman’s Hot Read blog at . Follow him on Twitter at .